GEOFFREY COUËT

Actor

Geoffrey Couët started acting when he was a child in Singapore. He then studied at Le Cours Florent, an acting school in Paris. In 2009 he graduated with the special recognition as best comedy actor. He went on to create his own theatre company, writing and directing plays, which travelled all around France. He spent 2 years in Casablanca, Morocco teaching acting and then returned to France to work with Kino Crew, playing various roles in many short films.

Theo and Hugo, is Geoffrey's first leading part in a feature film, an amazing challenge which helped him to develop and grow as an actor. For his performance he received the Premier Rendez-Vous Prize, Romantic Film Festival of Cabourg and Best Actor, FilmOut, San Diego Film Festival. Geoffrey is now waiting for the next challenge!

“I am thrilled to discover that an LGBT film festival exists in Russia. I think you are incredibly courageous and brave, and I feel extremely honoured to be invited to share this moment with you. Theo and Hugo presents a world where love between two young men is not a big deal, not even a deal: it is possible and normal. I hope it will be like this everywhere very soon. Waiting for this moment, let’s fight together with our smile, dance, dream, movie, soul and love! ”

PRESENTER

SERGEI KHAZOV KASSIA

Journalist | Writer

Sergei Khazov-Kassia was born in 1980 in Leningrad. He graduated from the Department of Journalism at Moscow State University. Sergei is a special correspondent for the Radio Svoboda, the author of the novel A Different Childhood (long listed for Russkaya Premia - a Russian literary prize) and written numerous articles on LGBT issues. Sergei is a laureate of the European Press Prize, 2013.

Sergei's new novel, The Gospel According to, has just been published. 

"In the case when practically nothing is allowed and everything that is, one should act with caution, even such an ordinary thing as going to the cinema might become an act of civil disobedience, let alone having a whole film festival. The Side by Side Film Festival has become a red rag for all sorts of politicians but that is why it is so important: we are here, we are alive, we want to watch films we like and love those who we choose. Love and art stay forever. Politicians do not."